I do a lot of criminal work (not in CT).
1st, he has been arrested.
Not convicted.
Yeah yeah, he probably did it, but I have plenty of cases come through the door where the guy is legitimately innocent.
Keep in mind that, if Jalen was stoned or drunk, then leaving the scene probably gave him the best legal result. Not offering moral guidance here, but "leaving the scene" when there is only property damage or no damage almost always carries less severe penalties than a DUI.
I live out in the sticks. If a guy trashes his car on the side of the road, drunk, all he has got to do is leave the scene for 2 hours and no blood/breath test will be admissible.
In my state any motorized vehicle on the road will get you a DUI. Have had plenty of 4-wheelers and such.
If nobody was hurt, I consider this minor and not news worthy.
Give the kid a bowl of JMAC, a slap on the wrist, and let him get back to life.